An inefficient boiler can cause many significant problems including higher energy bills, lukewarm radiators, and an inefficient heating system. Now while boilers may use most of the gas in your homes, there are some steps that you can take to increase its efficiency.
Now, the question remains, what do you exactly mean by a boiler’s energy efficiency? It is the percentage of total energy used by the boiler to provide heating. For example, a boiler with 95% efficiency will waste only 6% of energy, which will get out with the flue. This means, for every £1 spent, only 5p will be wasted.
So, the more efficient your boiler is, the less fuel will it use to deliver the same amount of heat to your home. Luckily, there are some easy steps you can take to increase the energy efficiency of your boiler.
With time and use, boilers tend to get clogged up, hampering their performance, and causing higher heating bills. So, keeping your boiler dust-free helps it run better and more efficiently. To prevent dust from settling on your boiler, give its outer casing a cleaning. However, do not ever attempt to clean the insides of your boiler. That should only be done while servicing by expert Gas Safe registered engineers during servicing.
Bleed Your Radiators
Bleed your radiators once in a while. This easy maintenance task can help improve your radiator’s heat efficiency, thus keeping your bills low as well. To check if your radiators need bleeding, fire up the heating and see if it takes a while to warm up or have cold spots at the top.
Top up the Pressure
A pressure drop will hinder your boiler’s efficiency. So, to keep your boiler running smoothly, top up the pressure if needed. Check the gauge on your boiler. A healthy pressure should read 1.5 bar on it. If it doesn’t, it’s time to tweak and top up the pressure.
Consider Having a Powerflush
At times, it might happen that even after bleeding your radiators, they might still not get hot. This might be due to sludge build-up. Over time, deposits in your pipes and radiators can build up to such an extent that your boiler loses its efficiency in heating your home. Eventually, your central heating unit might suffer corrosion, which is a much bigger and more expensive problem to sort out.
So, if your radiators have cold spots, some aren’t working, or your heating is very slow to take effect, it might be time to Powerflush. But always connect with Gas Safe registered engineers to do this for you. A Powerflush sends water at high speed through your central heating system, dislodging any sludge, rust, or debris. Following a Powerflush, your boiler and central heating system will be far more efficient and should last longer.
Insulate Your Pipes
Always insulate your pipes with simple, easy-to-fit foam tubes. This reduces heat loss and thus your boiler won’t have to work so hard to heat your home and you’ll save money. Lagging is available at most DIY stores. Just make sure you are aware of the correct size of your pipes.
Turn the Heating On During the Summer
If your boiler has been left off for prolonged periods, it can lead to expensive breakdowns. So, switch on your heating once a week during the warmer months to keep it ticking over.
Servicing your boiler regularly will help maintain its health and make it run more efficiently. If you have a Vaillant boiler, you can have yours checked and serviced by our expert Gas Safe registered engineers. During an annual service, our engineers will remove any dust or dirt, which will help prevent corrosion. They will also check if your boiler is installed in the most ideal manner.
Conclusion
By servicing your boiler regularly, you eliminate the risk of sudden breakdowns and extend its life while increasing its efficiency. Discussed above are some simple and straightforward ways in which you can best maintain your boiler and help it run smoothly and with maximum efficiency.
